The PhD in Linguistics trains students in the science of language. Students become specialists in the core areas of linguistics-- phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics --and learn to integrate this core with the study of second language acquisition and/or computational linguistics. The program prepares students for positions in academia, industry, government, and a host of organizations concerned with language and second language acquisition. Graduates may become research and teaching professors, administrators of language-learning programs, and consultants in computational linguistic research.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions.

For specific information, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.

Banner Code: LA-PHD-LING

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 72

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Optional Linguistics Foundation Course

LING 500Linguistic Variation0-3
Total Credits0-3

Core Courses

General Linguistics
Select eight courses from the following:24
Phonetics
Phonology A
Phonology B
Morphology
Syntax A
Syntax B
Semantics and Pragmatics 1
Semantics and Pragmatics 2
Computational Linguistics I
Computational Linguistics II
Language Acquisition
Select two courses from the following:6
Second Language Acquisition 1
Second Language Acquisition 2
First Language Acquisition
Research Methodology
Select one of the following:3
Experimental Methods
Statistical Methods in Linguistics
Linguistic Field Methods
Computational and Quantitative Methods in Linguistics
Qualifying Papers
LING 898Advanced Qualifying Research 13
LING 899Advanced Qualifying Research 23
Total Credits39

Two Seminars

Select 6 credits from the following: 16
LING 800Advanced Seminar in Linguistics3
Total Credits9
1

Students take two seminar courses in two chosen fields. Seminar topics change every time they are offered. They may be repeated for credit.

Electives

Choose four - five graduate LING courses not used to fulfill another requirement (except for LING 998 and LING 999), or other approved course 112-15
Total Credits12-15
1

If LING 500 Linguistic Variation is taken, four electives are required.

Advancement to Candidacy

To advance to candidacy, students must complete all coursework required on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully pass a written qualifying exam and an oral qualifying exam. In addition, students must have a dissertation committee appointed by the Dean’s Office as well as an approved proposal. Evidence of the approved proposal must be on file in the Dean’s Office before a student can advance to candidacy.

Dissertation

Once enrolled in LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation, students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation ResearchStudents who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation.

Students apply to this degree a minimum of 12 dissertation credits (LING 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation combined) with at least 3 credits of LING 999 Doctoral Dissertation. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.

Dissertation Research12
Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
Doctoral Dissertation
Total Credits12

Program Outcomes

  • Understand the core concepts of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, which are the fundamental theoretical areas of linguistics. 
  • Develop a thorough knowledge in a subfield of linguistics. This can be in the theoretical areas, such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, or can be in an area such as areal linguistics, speech pathology, or computational linguistics. Because our program concentrates upon the acquisition of language, many students focus on some issue within the domain of first or second language acquisition. 
  • Show proficiency in research methodology. Performance in the program demonstrates the ability to adequately formulate a suitable and original research topic and show a continued trajectory toward elaboration and solution. 
  • Write and verbally present in an organized academic style, appropriate for the field of linguistics. Data is to be presented in a clear and conventional manner, and the argument should be built in a logical fashion.  
  • Effectively analyze linguistic data and information to arrive at informed conclusions.